She didn't answer, body limp against his own, head rolling just slightly with his movements. The vampire took a deep breath and then in one swift yank managed to jerk the sword free of the pair, though he lost his grip from the awkward angle and the sword went flying, landing with a loud crash against a tree.
Their time to escape was limited now; no doubt the General had heard the clamor.
Both Ellis and Nia collapsed briefly against the ground before Ellis clambered up to his feet again, carrying the tiny girl awkwardly in one arm, the other grasping the tree they had once been pinned to which was stained with dark blood.
He could feel his strength leaving him ounce by ounce – he had lost too much blood.
If this continued he would be too weak to even move until he got more. His body had already almost finished healing itself, the gaping hole once echoing in his stomach was nothing but a tiny, almost invisible scratch.
Nia, he knew, was not so lucky.
If he could make it to his home hidden beneath the tree, then they'd be ok. Then they would hide out until the soldiers were gone and he would find a way to help Nia and everything would be fine. It would be all sunsets and rainbows and fluffy kittens and potatoes. He repeated this several times in an attempt to make his strength last more painfully slow steps forward.
Only to the tree.
He felt his knees begin to buckle before long and soon he had fallen. They were almost there though. It was only two or three yards away. So close.
Only to the tree.
He awkwardly crawled on one arm while the other held Nia tucked under him, almost dragging her on the ground, his eyes only on the base of the tree before them. He ignored the faint yells of the soldiers, he ignored how painfully cold the girl in his arms was getting, he ignored how his body was slowly going numb.
'Please,' he begged silently to anyone in the universe who would listen, 'please let us get there…'
That someone appeared to be listening.
Slowly, the tree got closer and closer until he collapsed against the leaves at its base, practically crying in relief. With a choked noise he shoved his shoulder up against the tiny lever at the base, only to find it immobile. The stupid contraption was stuck from the previous pounding he'd given it and he didn’t have the strength any longer to force it open.
Once, twice more he tried, and each time his trap door did not open. He pulverized the small piece of wood covering the entrance with weak fists, crying out now in frustration.
Their safety and security was only inches away and completely unattainable.
"Nia, Nia sweetie, you gotta help me!" He cried, dragging her up under his chest so she was pinned between the rough ground and his body, if they both pushed, then it would open. It had to open.
"Please! Just push on it a little! If you help then this thing will open up in no time!"
She didn't move. Her eyes didn't open. She didn’t acknowledge him at all.
"Please!"
He grabbed her arms, pushing them above her head against the tiny lever hidden in the base of the tree. He shoved at it again to no avail, finally collapsing fully onto the girl, clinging her against him. He felt two tiny tears slip down his face in frustration and desperation and...fear.
When was the last time he had cried? When was the last time he had feared for his life? Or another's?
Had he ever?
Heavy footsteps brought him back to attention, and he clung tighter to the limp girl under him who refused to breath or move or cry or be as weak as he was.
He felt the sharp point of the sword against the back of his neck, felt it pushing slowly against his skin until it broke under the pressure.
And then it stopped.
And it withdrew.
And Ellis nearly stopped breathing when he heard the sword being sheathed, still clutching the girl protectively, curling his body around her. They still clung to the lever together, Ellis's hands wrapped around Nia's tiny ones, as though it could still save them.
The General paused then bent down, trying to push aside the bewildered vampire, who only continued to cling tightly. He abruptly grabbed the girl's limp arm and yanked it towards him.
"Interesting." The General murmured, studying her tan flesh closely.
Ellis, watched in confusion as the man curiously studied Nia's wrist, one bony finger tracing a delicate mark on her wrist. At first, Ellis thought it was a burn or scar, but after a moment, it became obvious that it was simply a birthmark – shaped inexplicably like a tiny flower blossom.
At the General's touch Nia flinched and Ellis was glad to see her make a move of any sort, though he clutched her tighter instantly.
"Stay away!" The vampire hissed in an almost feral voice.
"I can save her." The General responded casually, "You both just have to come with me."
The General grinned at him cheekily, tossing orange, white streaked hair over his shoulder, obviously enjoying the frustration clouding Ellis's already dark eyes.